Ministerial Statement

TREVORROW, MR G.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: As Premier I wish to make a statement relating to the passing of Mr George Trevorrow, a senior Aboriginal elder of the Ngarrindjeri nation, who was well-known and respected by many people in South Australia and throughout our nation. I acknowledge the family, close friends of Mr Trevorrow, the Ngarrindjeri people, and all those who hold memories of him. On behalf of the South Australian government I would like to express our sadness at Mr Trevorrow's passing on Saturday 26 February at the age of 59.

I also want to extend my personal respect and gratitude for a man whose contribution to South Australia is significant in so many ways. He was a statesman, a leader and a man of vision. He was also a dedicated family man, who passionately sought to advance the rights of Aboriginal people, and to reach a better understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Mr Trevorrow was committed and courageous, but he also believed in consensus above conflict, and humility rather than hubris. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and five children.

He was deeply committed to progressing the interests of Ngarrindjeri and his vision was far reaching. Mr Trevorrow was an integral part of a negotiation team to secure the first-ever repatriation of Ngarrindjeri ancestral remains back to country. To him, these were 'old people' who belonged to country, and needed to be brought home. He not only helped ensure that happened, but he also began talking to other institutions in the United Kingdom that held ancestral remains. Mr Trevorrow regarded this as extremely important for Ngarrindjeri people 'to have the return of the old people back to their traditional burial grounds'.

Mr Trevorrow showed great respect and understanding for his 'old people', and he cared deeply about their spirit—to ensure they were granted spiritual peace—as well as their physical remains. In the same way, he showed respect to his elders, his brothers and his sisters. He also cared for future generations through the practices of his Ngarrindjeri culture. As custodian of the land and waters, he worked throughout his life to ensure the health and preservation of country for future generations to enjoy and to continue in practising their Ngarrindjeri culture.

Mr Trevorrow was also able to construct a new and positive relationship with all levels of government. He was able to speak openly and forthrightly about his views and to call for unity and consensus to build a strategic way forward for the Ngarrindjeri. Mr Trevorrow was always prepared to explain, patiently and with insight, the reasons why Ngarrindjeri culture is important and why it must be protected. He was, along with other Ngarrindjeri elders, acknowledged for his work as South Australian of the Year in 2010, in the category of environment. Even at times of disagreement, Mr Trevorrow maintained dignity and respect, through his thoughtful and insightful approach and his ability to speak plainly.

George Trevorrow was a man of grace and vision. He had the strength and humility to seek a new relationship with government and was instrumental in forging a new relationship, which was demonstrated in the signing of the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan (Listening to Ngarrindjeri People Talking) Agreement in June 2009. This agreement was reached between the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority and the Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, the Minister for the River Murray and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

Mr Trevorrow was also the inaugural chairperson of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority and was involved in the signing of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Partnership Agreement between the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority and the Australian and South Australian governments on 18 July 2008 at Camp Coorong. These agreements are comprehensive and far-reaching. They contain a focus on economic sustainability and environment as well as cultural protection. These are vital areas that Mr Trevorrow saw as enabling the Ngarrindjeri to care for country and sea areas, as traditional owners, in collaboration with government.

When the state government became aware that Uncle George was gravely ill, the Minister for Environment and Conservation visited him in hospital and spent some time with him during that difficult period. I understand the minister advised Mr Trevorrow of this government's commitment to co-management of the Coorong National Park with the Ngarrindjeri, with a view to eventual hand-back. I am told that this news brightened Mr Trevorrow's spirits considerably.

George Trevorrow has left an enormous legacy for all of us in South Australia. His effort and dedication to build understanding and positive relationships will be remembered in many ways by many people in the years and decades to come. He devoted his life to ensuring that all Aboriginal South Australians could benefit from building positive relationships with one another and with governments—to learn from one another, share knowledge and build unity, to maintain a mutual respect for old people, family, kinships, nations, the land and waterways, as well as further nurture cultural knowledge, local and future Aboriginal leadership. This is a vital legacy for us all. He has left a lasting impression on our state and on our nation. On behalf of members, I extend my sincere condolences to Mr Trevorrow's family and friends. He will be sadly missed.